GF Concierge or YC Concierge for Anniversary Trip?

[DiznEeyore]

I'm looking for opinions ... dh and I are planning a trip to WDW next year for our 15th anniversary. We've decided to splurge and use our DVC points for 3 concierge nights at the start of the trip before moving to the BWV. I'd been thinking all along that we'd stay at GF (we'll be spending a fair amount of time at the MK throughout the trip -- it's our favorite park), but it seems that reports on the concierge stays there are sort of hit-or-miss, while everything I read about the YC seems to be glowing!

My dh says he'll stay wherever I want to, though I suspect he's leaning towards the YC. I think it'd be nice to stay at two different resort areas, and I'm not sure the YC decor has that romantic "feel" that the GF does.

I'd love to hear any thoughts on why one might be better than the other! TIA!!

 

[MrsTink04]

We got upgraded to the honeymoon turret rooms in the main building concierge at the GF for our first anniversary and it was amazing. The food/drinks were fantastic and the service (making PS's, getting a bottle of champagne sent to the room) was fabulous. I am biased - I don't think I could ever stay at a Deluxe that is not the GF.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I've done both and hands down, I would pick the GF main building. Unfortunately, with any business that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, at some point, you are going to run into a problem. I'm happy to say that we've never experienced this at the GF, but I know from reading threads that others have. I guess I just wouldn't let that influence my decision.

In comparison, I would have to say that the YC pre-planning staff is probably the finest on property. Beyond that though, there just wasn't much magic.

YC Lounge: small, very limited food choices, closed in between servings and then for the night at 10pm. Limited seating, with a balcony that overlooks the parking lot. Concierge is located on the 5th floor. An elevator access card is sent to you before you arrive, so that you can bypass the regular check-in. Some room views are just terrible. You really do need to pay for the water view upgrade.

GF Lounge: spacious, open to the lobby below, more extensive food offerings including an additional "afternoon tea" service. Two tv's, couches, tables, all located on the 4th floor. Concierge staff is on the 3rd floor with a huge balcony that overlooks the courtyard area. You are met at the Port Cochere and escorted upstairs for your private check-in. GF orchestra and piano play nightly just below the lounge. Romance and ambience rating IMO is A+. Every room view is lovely and there's no additional upcharge. You can simply request what area of the resort you'd like to overlook.

Tammi

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi, I have stayed at the Grand Floridian RPC and SL. Just once each building, but the GF is now my favorite resort. We have stayed CR, YC, BC, and Poly, and Swan. I did have some problems with our first visit with the RPC and wasn't especially impressed with the concierge staff that we dealt with on that trip, but I just love the resort. All the other CMs we encountered were just as friendly as can be. The lounge staff was just super. The Grand Floridian is just beautiful, from the lobby to the views and the rooms. I don't want to stay anywhere else now. The GF has ruined me for every other deluxe. I do need to add that our SL stay was wonderful, also. The concierge staff contacted me after our first visit and made sure that our next stay was problem free. We had no complaints about the concierge staff during that visit. They were wonderful.

The GF would be my choice if I were you. It sounds like the MK is your favorite,(mine, too), so that is another reason to choose the GF.

Good luck! Happy planning -
Lives4Disney

 

[DiznEeyore]

Thank you all for your replies. They definitely reinforced my desire to stay at the GF, and to my surprise, my dh said that's where he'd rather stay, too! So I guess the GF it is! Thanks again!

 

[webray]

We did GF main building concierge last September for our anniversary. It was a total nightmare, we paid a huge rate. We will never return to GF again. We have stayed at almost every Disney resort..had saved GF for last..we wanted to stay concierge for a special occasion. The concierge castmembers have to be the worst. I would do Yacht Club, or just hop over to the boardwalk and do their concierge..we loved that.

Also..our absolute favorite concierge on disney property is AKL...they are outstanding there.

Good luck with your anniversary trip planning.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I don't think YC concierge and GF concierge are even comparable, really. I haven't tried the GF RPC yet (will later this year!) but I have stayed at the GF several times and its an incredible resort, my personal favorite. I've never had bad service there, not even once. It might be luck, but there's no reason to stay elsewhere for me (except to be near a diff. park than MK, so I usually split stays for this reason). Tammi summed up the differences beautifully. I didn't find the YC anything special....though I found the CMs to be nice and professional, for sure. The offerings were nothing like what is described at the RPC, and I agree about the lounge limitations (schedule, view, space). The beach club concierge is about the same. BWI is better than either BC or YC, IMHO, but the GF always gets my vote

 

[DiznEeyore]

BWI isn't an option, as we're DVC members and will be using points -- BWI isn't available on points. Plus, we'll be in a one-bedroom at BWV after our 3 nights at the GF. I appreciate all the input, though!